"You'd better be," the Templar said darkly as he sheathed his sword "if there were more Templars here, I'd take you in for questioning about your curse. However, since I'm the only one, I have no choice but to take your word for it."

Again, he said nothing, though he gave another silent nod, this time a grateful one.

Malvolio snorted and said, "I suggest that you renew whatever illusion that hid your curse from us: the next people to see you probably won't be as forgiving as us."

Caiden gave a short growl and said only, "It wasn't an illusion."

Allya, meanwhile, turned to the demon once more and said, "Thank you for the information. Now farewell, and may we never meet again."

And with that, Allya performed the necessary rituals to banish the demon back to the Underworld. He caused no fret or fuss, standing in silence and even closing his eyes as a great gout of flame built and erupted at his own feet, trapped within the circle - and then, in a flash of fire and the stink of brimstone, the demon was gone.

Caiden, meanwhile, took the opportunity to get some distance from the group, as he moved into a dark corner of the great summoning room instead, standing in silence and watching, the tentacles sprouting from his arms writhing absently.

Garandros stood leaning against the wall, his sword in his hand but lowered to the floor. He'd stayed silent for the conflict, watching and listening.

And growing more and more conflicted.

Voros was dangerous, there was no doubt about that. But an unwanted curse, destroying a man's life? That, he could understand.

With a sigh he sheathed the blade, and strode over to the corner where Caiden cowered - no, he observed, the man stood tall even now.

"What happened to you?" He growled, but without menace.

----

Elnira breathed a sigh of relief as the demon disappeared. Demons were fascinating, but best observed from a distance. Still, she could definitely add to her notes on the subject after this expedition.

Mr Whiskers' hiss caused her to snap back to reality and she realised she was tightly squeezing Korvarl's arm. With a start she left go and awkwardly patted the spot, veggie wandering over to Allya.

"Where did you learn all that?" She squeaked. "I learned a lot of theoretical demonology, but you look like you've done that before!"

And just like that, the demon was gone, leaving only a faint, sulfurous miasma in its wake.

"All yours" Allya said to Korvarl, stepping back and gesturing at the now-vacant summoning circle.

"Where did you learn all that? I learned a lot of theoretical demonology, but you look like you've done that before!"

She gave a wry grin as she turned to face the little dwarf scholar. "Actually, as banishings go, that was my first" she replied. "But my mother liked to... experiment with all sorts of magics. I mostly learned from her---from what notes she left behind... Learned far better than to play around with such things. I would suggest you stick to the theoretical side---as I have tried to" she cautioned Elnira.

"This means I will not have to regret sending back their envoy short a few limbs."

Caiden remained still and silent in the corner, watching, until both the other Venatori approached him, one after the other. He didn't show any outward signs of annoyance or tension, and it was clear he had expected it.

"What happened to you?" Garandros growled, but without menace.

Before he could answer, Agethar spoke next: "Were ye too busy being a broodin' loner that ye missed him explain' it earlier?" the Northern Venator asked before turning to Caiden.

"I'd like some answers too, but I donnae think that this is th' best place tae ask 'em. After what I've seen here I'd like tae just git th' sword 'n' go."

"Some kind of demonic mutations," Caiden replied to Garandros. "From cursed obsidian... I can explain everything I know about it once we're out of this place," he finished for the both of them, though it was clear he wasn't too keen on doing that.

Korvarl finally stepped forward as the abominable demon was banished, though his eyes remained warily set on Caiden. They didn’t know what kind of demon he was, and apparently the other had been trying to manipulate them. Granted… maybe this was some kind of weird illusion to trick them into fighting each other. Or… something. The dwarf groaned, his head starting to ache. Gods damn this ‘adventure’ and all the ills it had brought them.

"All yours" Allya told him after ensuring the demon was really gone, stepping back and gesturing at the now-vacant summoning circle.

Silvershield nodded, stepping up to the circle and looking through the book, looking for the most potent - or at least the most plausible - celestial he could try to summon. On that note, which god was likely to take up their cause the most? Aw hells…

He took in the surrounding groups, taking a wild guess at their faiths. They did have a big ol’ warrior woman, one who undoubtedly praised the Aesir or Vanir. Same with the elf ladies and Elnira, too. Maybe that blonde Venator as well, Age-what’s-his-face. Besides them, though… Ah whatever, we outnumber ‘em. He decided with a shrug. Turning his full attention to the book, he wondered if a valkyrie or something of the sort would come to their aid. That’ll be something to tell the kids…

“Well, let’s see if this works.” He muttered - mostly to himself - before getting to work.

------

Percula stayed close to Caid - as she was wont to do - while Garandros and Agethar closed in. Oh boy…

Agethar turned out to be the more accepting of the two, reprimanding Garadros when the gruff man asked what had happened. Voros answered regardless.

"Some kind of demonic mutations," Caiden replied to Garandros. "From cursed obsidian... I can explain everything I know about it once we're out of this place," he finished for the both of them, though it was clear he wasn't too keen on doing that. Percula rested a hand on his shoulder to try easing his mood. It’s gonna be okay, Caid...

"For now, just trust me. Although I know it might not be easy to do."

“...If it’s any help,” Percula added, slipping in between Caiden and the other two. This did little more than accentuate how much smaller she was than him, and how bad she was at taking attention from Voros; much less when he was mutated like this. “I’ve been with him for…” She paused, realizing she hadn’t exactly kept track. “...a long while,” she finally settled with a sheepish grin, “and he hasn’t changed a bit. At least, not thanks to… uh, this.” Saffron clarified, poking a nearby tentacle. She resisted snickering at its reaction, trying to remember that normal people would be freaked out by all the demonic protrusions that Caid gained in this form, rather than amused.